Falcoholinks: All the Falcons news you need for Friday, Sept. 3

There’s links: A lot of ‘em. Dive in, folks.

Falcons cut RB Qadree Ollison, sign RB Wayne Gallman

It’s been a story of stop-and-start for runningback Qadree Ollison since the Atlanta Falcons selected him in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He never really received many touches in Atlanta’s offense, and the team has decided to move on from the back in favor of former fourth-rounder Wayne Gallman.

Gallman joins a backfield that currently only includes two backs: Mike Davis and Cordarrelle Patterson.

Longtime long-snapper Josh Harris cut, re-signed

There was some roster-move weirdness on Wednesday with the surprise cut of long-snapper Josh Harris. Harris was subsequently signed back to the squad. NFL rosters, man.

Left guard: An enduring issue

The left guard spot on Atlanta’s line has been in a perpetual state of flux since Andy Levitre’s retirement, and these Falcons aren’t anything but consistent. Free-agent signee Josh Andrews appeared poised to snag the starting spot, but after fracturing his hand in practice he’s now hit IR.

So we’re now faced with the very real possibility that third-round rookie Jaylen Mayfield gets the starting nod. The Falcons also snagged guard Colby Gossett off of waivers from the Browns, but early signs point to Mayfield getting a Week 1 trial-by-fire: blocking Eagles DT Fletcher Cox.

Pray for Matt Ryan.

More roster stuff!

The Falcons had to cut their roster down to the final 53 on Tuesday (which of course changed with the release of Qadree Ollison and signing of Wayne Gallman).

The biggest surprise is Atlanta holding on to three quarterbacks, but with the recent signing of QB Josh Rosen and UDFA Feleipe Franks as the only backups, it makes a bit of sense.

Rookie Avery Williams seems to have won the punt returner gig outright — with Cordarrelle Patterson handling kick return duties.

CB Kendall Sheffield to IR

Kendall Sheffield has made the final roster, but as he’s been injured for the majority of the summer, the Falcons have placed him on injured reserve.

We could see him after three weeks, pending his health, of course.

Even more (practice squad) roster stuff!

Atlanta announced 15 players assigned to its practice squad, leaving one space open for a pending move. RB Caleb Huntley, who was released earlier in the week, went unclaimed and has also landed on the Falcons practice squad.

GM Terry Fontenot was brought in for his ability to build depth, and while Atlanta’s cap situation didn’t allow for any splash free-agent signings, his composition of the practice squad will prove a litmus test for what he can do in the development department.